Hockey legend Tiger Williams charged with sex assault over incident on military flight

The charges relate to alleged incidents during a Canadian Forces flight to Latvia in December 2017

NHL Alumni Tiger Williams is introduced to the crowd before playing Peterborough Law Enforcement All Stars on Saturday December 10, 2016 at the Memorial Centre in Peterborough, Ont.Clifford Skarstedt/Peterborough Examiner/Postmedia Network file photo

Legendary former NHL enforcer Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams has been charged with sexual assault after an alleged incident on board a Canadian Forces flight to Latvia.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service charged Williams, the most penalized player in NHL history, on Feb. 7 with sexual assault as well as assault, according to military police.

The charges relate to alleged incidents during a Canadian Forces flight to Latvia in December 2017. Williams was on a military-organized visit to raise the morale of Canadian Forces personnel stationed in Europe.

“Every allegation of sexual assault is taken seriously by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service,” Lt.-Col. Kevin Cadman, commanding officer of the NIS, said in a statement.

“In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” military police said in a news release. “The matter is now proceeding in accordance with the civilian justice system and will be brought forward by the Crown Attorney in Ottawa at a date still to be determined.”

Military police have jurisdiction over civilian personnel on Canadian Forces bases and deployments.

Navy Lt. Blake Patterson, a military police spokesman, said the alleged incident took place on a CC-150 Polaris jet during a Dec. 2-3 overnight flight to Riga. The victim told military officials about the assault during the flight.

Patterson said Williams reported to military police on Friday in Ottawa, where he was arrested. He was released on a promise to appear and various conditions, such as to refrain from drinking alcohol and to have no communication with the alleged victim.

Patterson declined to say whether the alleged victim was a man or woman, civilian or member of the Forces.

Williams, 64, played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Hartford Whalers — famously, often riding his hockey stick like a broom to celebrate scoring a goal. He amassed a league record 3,966 penalty minutes in his 14-season career. While best known for his take-no-prisoners style, he scored 513 points before retiring in 1988, and was the top goal scorer for the Canucks one season.

Since retiring, Williams has spent much of his time taking part in various NHL alumni events, celebrity tournaments and charity fundraisers. On Dec. 9, York Regional Police invoked Williams as part of a safe-driving campaign on social media. Williams, in a hockey alumni uniform, is pictured making a fist with his right hand and holding a puck with his left that says, “Keep your head up – don’t text and drive.”

The morale tour was part of the military’s “Team Canada” initiative that organizes visits to the troops by entertainers, artists, athletes, and media personalities. Team Canada visits usually involve approximately 20 people, DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier said Friday.

The initiative started in 2006 and there are about two such trips a year. Williams has participated in 14 trips, including to Afghanistan. He has had a long association with the military. In 2014, he received the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, the highest award a civilian can receive.

“None of the participants are paid,” Le Bouthillier said. “Participation in the program is purely voluntary, as those involved are looking to show their appreciation to CAF members who are away from their families for extended periods, representing their country.”

In a 2014 interview with Vancouver Province writer Ed Willes, Williams said he divided his time between Weyburn, Sask., his hometown; Calgary, Vancouver and Prince George, B.C., where two of his grandchildren live. He described his health then as “perfect.”

“I feel fortunate about everything I did in the hockey world,” he said. “It gave me the foundation to do whatever the hell I want.

“But it’s the same old story. You have to put the same amount of effort after the game that you did in the game.”

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